Sick Hot Tub - call the doctor!

We had a problem with our hot tub whereby it was tripping the breaker every time we switched it on.  

I arranged for the Hot Tub Doctor to make a house call this morning.  He quickly was able to diagnose the condition and put in new parts to make it all good.

It is now all fixed up with a new heating element, a new pressure switch (corrosion was starting on this and he reckoned it could go soon and we would need him back out to replace it) and also some new seals.

He also took a look at out filter and reckoned it was good for another 6 months or so.

Currently the hot tub is up at 26 degrees so it will be hot tomorrow ready for us to have a dip.  Having been off for 2 weeks I was concerned that we may have to empty and refill it but the doc said it should be ok - I was thankful for this as it would have been bad timing with the introduction of water charges in Ireland this week!!

The Hot Tub Doctor was not the company that originally supplied our hot tub so I was very happy to hear him comment that a lot of thought had gone in to our set up (all Ciaran's original ideas!).  As you know our hot tub is sunken under our deck and we use a lever mechanism to raise the lid.  All very James Bond!

Here's a picture of the hot tub (being photographed for the Sunday Independent) - you can see the pulley mechanism above the lid.

Scary scenes in LPA!

Not having visited the site for a few weeks I was quite shocked with what I saw this weekend.  Although I had been warned by Ciaran that buildings get a lot worse looking before they get better, I was really quite shocked by the level of destruction that needs to happen in order for a house to be restored.  Everything needs to be stripped right back and made good to ensure that the structure is safe.  At this point it can then be built back up.  Not having lived in this house, I can depersonalise and distance myself from the works, but, I think if I had lived here and then moved out in order for building works to commence, I would be very upset seeing the house in the current state.

Luckily I have Ciaran with me at every visit and he talks me through everything - why things have to be done they way they are at this point, etc.  He also reminds me of what it will be like when it is finished.  Likening building to cooking he says "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs"!!!!

                                           Internal walls are all removed.

                    This where the Hot Tub is going to be positioned!

 Master bedroom with the ceiling removed - roof will come off shortly.....

 Looking out from the back room to where the new extension will be built.

                                                            What's left of the hallway!